general science

 

How to Prepare for Science Subjects for UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam

General science and technology is a subject that is equally important as other subjects for the UPSC civil services exam. Every year about 10-15 questions are asked from this section in the UPSC prelims of the IAS exams. So, you can assess the importance of this section. Generally, students from science or engineering backgrounds find this section easy, but others with a humanities background find this section a bit tough. It need not be if you follow some strategies. This article talks about how to go about preparing for the general science section of the UPSC civil services prelims.

This section can be classified into four:

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Physics
4. Current affairs related to science and technology

General Science Syllabus for IAS Prelims:

Universe – Big Bang, Redshift, Blueshift

Star Formation – Stellar Evolution, Life Cycle of A Star

Solar System Formation – Nebular Theory of Laplace

Solar System – Planets, Inner Planets, Outer Planets

Sun – Internal Structure, Atmosphere

Nuclear Fission, Nuclear Reactor Types

India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme

Cell Organelles – Plant Cell vs. Animal Cell

Carbohydrates – Monosaccharides, Polysaccharides

Proteins – Amino Acids, Enzymes

Vitamins and Minerals – Deficiency Diseases

Fats – Healthy Fats and Unhealthy Fats

Animal Tissues – Epithelium, Connective Tissues

Human Digestive System – Digestive Glands

Respiratory System – NCERT General Science

Endocrine Glands and Hormones

Human Neural System – Human Brain

Muscular and Skeletal System

Nucleic acids – DNA and RNA, Recombinant DNA

Mitosis – Cell Cycle, Cell Division, Meiosis – Mitosis – Meiosis Comparison

Inheritance – Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance, Chromosomal Theory, Human Genome Project

Sex Determination – Genetic Disorders

Diseases Caused by Microorganisms

Microbes in Human Welfare – Useful Microbes

Immunity – Human Immune System

AIDS, Cancer – causes

Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Diseases – Acute, Chronic, Communicable Diseases

Blood – Blood Groups – Formed Elements

Circulatory System, Double Circulation

Excretory System – Kidney, Urine Formation

Origin and Evolution of Life on Earth

Biological Classification

Five Kingdom Classifications of Plants and Animals

Plant Parts and Their Functions

Plant Kingdom – Thallophytes (Algae), Bryophytes, Pteridophytes

Plants with Seeds – Gymnosperms and Angiosperms

Plant Tissue – Meristematic – Simple, Complex Permanent Tissue

Plant Nutrition – Photosynthesis, Nitrogen Cycle, Fixation

Sexual and Asexual Reproduction in Plants

Classification of Animal Kingdom (Animalia)

Classification of Vertebrata (Phylum Chordata)

Human Reproductive System

Biotechnology – Genetic Engineering – Processes and Applications

Atomic Theory – Structure of an Atom

DELP (UJALA) Scheme – Comparison: LED – CFL – Incandescent Bulb

Sources of Study Material for Science Section in the UPSC Exam:

• For core science subjects (chemistry, physics and biology), refer to the NCERT books from class VI to class X.
• Refer to newspapers like The Hindu and its special science edition on Thursdays.
• Refer to magazines like Science Reporter.
• Other sources include the CSIR book series, books published by National Book Trust.